Project: Dhammanikhom - construction of the nunnery
location: Heinersbrück (Brandenburg)
The Dhammanikhom Vipassana meditation center, founded in 2017, is located in Brandenburg Germany. It is a place where Buddhist teachings and Vipassana meditation are taught.
The Dhammanikhom Meditation Center also serves as a nunnery in the Theravada tradition where Buddhist nuns can be trained and ordained. Currently one bhikkhuni, the abbess – the Venerable Bhikkhuni Silavaddhani – lives in the Dhammanikhom. Nuns from other German monasteries and abroad are often present and – as is usual in Thailand – there have been temporary Maechee ordinations.
The community of nuns is now growing in Germany and women who feel connected to this meditation tradition should be given the opportunity to follow the monastic path. The Dhammanikhom would like to create a suitable framework for this and is in the process of developing a separate nuns’ area.
Plans for this nuns’ area include 4 nuns’ rooms, 3 bathrooms, an office and a spacious “multi-purpose hallway” in which a visiting nun can also be accommodated if necessary. In addition, there will be a small tea corner for the nuns as well as a storage room for Dhamma materials and religious items as well as robe materials.
The nuns’ area is to be expanded in three construction phases.
This phase is still in planning.
Sati Stiftung, Stiftung für Achtsamkeit
IBAN: DE68 5204 0021 0311 4477 00
Purpose: Construction Project Dhammanikhom Nunnery
The Dhammanikhom Vipassana meditation center, founded in 2017, is located in Brandenburg Germany. It is a place where Buddhist teachings and Vipassana meditation are taught.
The Dhammanikhom Meditation Center also serves as a nunnery in the Theravada tradition where Buddhist nuns can be trained and ordained. Currently one bhikkhuni, the abbess – the Venerable Bhikkhuni Silavaddhani – lives in the Dhammanikhom. Nuns from other German monasteries and abroad are often present and – as is usual in Thailand – there have been temporary Maechee ordinations.
The community of nuns is now growing in Germany and women who feel connected to this meditation tradition should be given the opportunity to follow the monastic path. The Dhammanikhom would like to create a suitable framework for this and is in the process of developing a separate nuns’ area.
Plans for this nuns’ area include 4 nuns’ rooms, 3 bathrooms, an office and a spacious “multi-purpose hallway” in which a visiting nun can also be accommodated if necessary. In addition, there will be a small tea corner for the nuns as well as a storage room for Dhamma materials and religious items as well as robe materials.
The nuns’ area is to be expanded in three construction phases.
This phase is still in planning.
So a wise person, envisioning his own benefit, should have delightful dwellings built so that the learned may stay there. He should, with an awareness clear & bright, give them—those who’ve become straightforward— food & drink, clothing & accouterments. They will teach him the Dhamma dispelling all stress so that he—knowing the Dhamma right there— totally unbinds, effluent-free.
Sati Stiftung, Stiftung für Achtsamkeit
IBAN: DE68 5204 0021 0311 4477 00
Purpose: Construction Project Dhammanikhom Nunnery
Update July 2024
With the support received so far, the second stage of the three-part goals has been achieved. The first construction phase should be followed immediately by the second construction phase in order to save costs. The Dhammanikhom Supporting Association is now expecting costs of around €40,000.
Update December 2024
The work for the first construction phase is almost completed. The outdoor facilities with rainwater infiltration, external staircase, and stair covering inside and outside are still under construction.
The 2nd construction phase for the expansion of two nuns’ rooms with bathrooms and a hallway has already begun. The demolition of the old nuns’ area has been completed, structural work on the floor has been carried out and now the interior insulation is underway.
The 3rd construction phase for the rest of the nuns’ area with 2 more nuns’ rooms and a bathroom must be put on hold for now. Structural work that was not foreseeable from the start may be an issue.That is why we are completing the 1st and 2nd construction phases first. There are now sufficient funds for this.
In the next few weeks, a decision will be made as to whether, after the completion of the first two nuns’ rooms, the 3rd construction phase (2 more nuns’ rooms with a bathroom) or the larger meditation hall should be started as the next construction phase.As soon as it is clear where to go next, further cost estimates will be obtained.
Project: ‚The Bhikkhuni Patimokkha‘
“The Bhikkhuni Patimokkha” is an introduction to the rules of the nuns’ order, which is intended as a small introduction help for monastic helpers, anagarikas and nuns at the beginning of their monastic training. After a brief general introduction to the Vinaya, the collection of the rules of the order, each of the 311 rules is presented with an illustration, the text in Pali and English, as well as a brief explanation.
The PDF version of the book has already been used in several Vinaya seminars and has received a lot of positive feedback. Since the nuns’ sangha is growing in Germany, new monasteries are being built and monastery helpers and candidates will be trained every year, this book could be of great help.
Sati Stiftung, Stiftung für Achtsamkeit
IBAN: DE68 5204 0021 0311 4477 00
Purpose: Bhikkhuni Patimokkha
Update April 2024
The books are printed. If you are interested, please contact Ayya Vimalanyani Bhikkhuni. Thank you to the donors!
Project: Pilgrimage "In the Footsteps of the Buddha"
Place: India and Nepal
Sati Stiftung, Stiftung für Achtsamkeit
IBAN: DE68 5204 0021 0311 4477 00
Purpose: Pilgrimage
Update November 2024
The time has come. The pilgrimage organized by tour guide Jörn Materne is underway. Bhikkhuni Anuvidita, Saccika, Rakkhita, Jutindhara, Samaneri Sarita and Anagarika Kevali are visiting the Buddha’s sites together with the pilgrimage group. The Sati Foundation would like to thank all donors. In particular the travel agency Moskito Adventures, which did not charge us any costs for their work. Thanks to the generosity of Christian Hertel and Jörn Materne, it is possible for so many nuns to take part in the trip.